Project officials from the European Union Delegation to Solomon Islands have assessed EU- funded development projects in surrounding communities of Buala, Isabel Province.
The team led by EU Cooperation Attaché Ms Lorena Elvira Ayuso and Evaluation Expert Keith Owen visited Isabel last week for the final evaluation of community-based development projects.
The five projects were funded under the Rural Advancement Micro Projects Programme (RAMP), facilitated by the Solomon Islands Government, Improving WASH in the Solomon Islands (iWASH), funded through the EU Water Facility and implemented with UNICEF, and the Rural Development Phase 1 Programme (RDP I), implemented with World Bank.
Elvira Ayuso said the villages visited included Kolosori, Kubulotto, Nareabu, Guguha School and Hovikoilo, all benefitting directly from the projects.
Ms Ayuso claimed local community elders spoke very highly of the support given by the donor community and the European Union in particular. Elders claimed that the improved access to clean water has substantially improved their living conditions.
Furthermore, women have been key players at the heart of decision making over priorities and implementation of the activities, particularly under RDP I.
The European Union is working together with the Government in its vision to provide easy access to clean water, appropriate sanitation and disseminate good hygiene practices for all communities within Solomon Islands by 2024. The EU is backing its support with a Sector Reform Contract to the tune of EUR 13m (about SBD 115 million).
